Liberal Democrats warn of “lost generation” as school absences in Oldham rise by more than 80% since 2019

Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes has warned that time is running out for Oldham’s leaders to help a “lost generation” of school children in the Borough. 

Data uncovered by Oldham Liberal Democrats has revealed that the number of children who are persistently absent from school has shot up from 5840 to 10,547 since 2019.  A rise of just over 80%.   

Councillor Sykes said, “The last four years has been extremely difficult for children in our communities.  They have had their education disrupted by the pandemic and now by the cost-of-living crisis.  More sad is the fact that more and more children are going hungry across Oldham.  These are the things that are driving up these alarming rates of persistent absence.” 

In England, a pupil is recorded as being ‘persistently absent’ when they miss at least 10% of classroom time.  Pupils are recorded as ‘severely absent when they miss at least 50% of lessons.  Severe absences across the Borough are also up, from 330 in 2019 to 552 in this school year.   

Councillor Sykes said, “It is deeply concerning that children are missing so much school time.  When a child becomes persistently absent, all the information we have shows that their attendance is likely to get worse not better.  When children miss so much classroom time, it impacts on their future chances.  If the council and schools don’t come together and act now, we run the risk of seeing a lost generation.”